Australia Sanctions Online Neo-Nazi Network

The federal government has taken a strong stand against online extremism, imposing sanctions on a neo-Nazi group that openly promotes violence. Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced today that the government is targeting Terrorgram, a white supremacist network known for inciting racially motivated attacks.

“Terrorgram is an online network that promotes white supremacy and racially-motivated violence,” Wong said. “It is now a criminal offence to use or deal with the assets of, or make assets available to Terrorgram.”

This marks the first time Australia has applied counter-terrorism financing sanctions to an online-only organisation. The penalties are serious—violators could face up to 10 years in prison and hefty fines.

More Groups Under Sanctions

The government isn’t stopping at Terrorgram. Four other extremist groups have also been relisted for counter-terrorism sanctions:

• National Socialist Order

• Russian Imperial Movement

• Sonnenkrieg Division

• The Base

“This demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to disrupting the activities of terrorists and violent extremists and preventing them from recruiting and radicalising people online,” Wong said.

She made it clear: “There is no place in Australia for antisemitism, hatred, or violence.”

Sanctions on Hezbollah Officials

In a separate move, Australia has also imposed sanctions on Hezbollah’s new secretary general and its spokesperson, Naim Qassem.

Response to Recent Antisemitic Attacks

These measures come in the wake of disturbing antisemitic incidents in Melbourne and Sydney. Authorities are still investigating a caravan filled with explosives that was discovered in north-west Sydney, raising fears of a planned mass-casualty attack on Jewish targets.

Meanwhile, in Sydney’s east, cars, homes, and garages were vandalised with antisemitic graffiti, and police are searching for three men who threw eggs at a group of women in what’s believed to be a targeted attack.

With the government cracking down on extremist groups and law enforcement stepping up investigations, the message is clear: Australia will not tolerate hate-fueled violence.